I have a 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport with 340,000 km. My wife has a 1996
Mystique with 135,000km, and my daughter has a '98 Neon with 135,000
km. My wife's '88 New Yorker was 18 when we sold it, and it was still
very driveable. I'd take ( or send my daughter with) any one of our 3
current vehicles anywhere in north america, any time. Other daughter
took the mystique half way across the country last summer. Yet, I see
MANY 4 year old cars I would not let my wife or daughters drive, and
which I would not pay more than a couple hundred dollars for if I'd
bother with them at all.

The condition of "most" cars of a particular age doesn't matter.  The
condition of a particular car does.  I forgot to mention that my son drives
an 11 year-old car.  All of our vehicles are in good mechanical condition,
particularly where safety issues are concerned.

How old of a car would you consider acceptable?

Please understand that my intent isn't to be confrontational, but
conversational.

Ken

I didn't say "new", I said "newer".  You didn't really answer my question,
either.  What kind of condition are most 12 year old cars in?  Is that
really what you want for your daughter?  No, I have nothing to do with car
sales, but I do think about car safety, especially for my daughter(s).

New would be nice, but not in our budget, nor does it make good economic
sense.  The age of a car doesn't concern me as much as the condition.  I
drive a 10 year-old truck, my wife drives a 7 year-old car.  Are you in car
sales?

Yes.  Something newer.

Do you really want your daughter driving around in a 12 year old car?

We're looking at a 95 Neon for our daughter.  Anything in particular to be
looking for?

Thanks,

Ken